118 arrested in undercover sex trafficking operation in Valley Police said the Phoenix HEAT unit worked with human trafficking units from Scottsdale, Glendale, Mesa, Tempe, HSI, and the FBI to address the problem in the Valley. PHOENIX — Phoenix police announced Friday the arrest of 118 people in an undercover investigation aimed at preventing human trafficking-related crimes in the Valley. Police said the Phoenix HEAT unit worked with human trafficking units from Scottsdale, Glendale, Mesa, Tempe, HSI, and the FBI to address the problem in the greater Phoenix area. Officials said the joint operation was conducted in Scottsdale and Phoenix and resulted in 118 arrests related to prostitution, luring, pandering, escort service violations, and warrants. The investigations took place in two phases, the first over a three-day period in January. Phase two took place over a three-day period in February, police said. Officials said three of the subjects arrested had outstanding felony warrants; one of which was for homicide out of Texas. One person was arrested after they agreed to meet, believing they were paying to have a sexual encounter with an underage male. In addition, several possible traffickers were identified, and follow-up investigations are pending. Police said the combined efforts of the agencies are part of a nationwide effort to eliminate human and sex trafficking. https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/arizona/118-arrested-in-undercover-sex-trafficking-operation-in-phoenix-and-scottsdale/75-a3ab6d05-5008-4bb3-a366-5e00be46c1f7
Phoenix Human Trafficking Task Force Led by Councilman Jim Waring with co-chair Sarah Suggs of the O'Connor House, the Task Force was created in December 2013 by the Phoenix City Council to establish the City of Phoenix as a model in addressing and combating human trafficking. To meet this goal, Phoenix has adopted and implemented The Compass Plan, a five-year roadmap to eradicate human trafficking.
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